Diagnosed at 25 With Hodgkin's Lymphoma, She Says This Saved Her Life

When Serene Hesri received a Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis on her 25th birthday, clinical trials were not something she had ever considered. Three months after going into remission, her cancer returned — and it was a frank conversation with her oncologist that opened a door she didn't know existed.

Now five years in remission, Hesri sat down with CURE to talk about the misconceptions surrounding clinical trials, why she believes patients deserve to hear about them earlier and what she wants someone facing a new diagnosis or recurrence to know.

CURE: You were diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma on your 25th birthday. Can you walk us through what that day was like and what was going through your mind?

Hesri: It was a lot of shock, and maybe a little denial — because at 25 years old, you expect yourself to be healthy, especially when you're living a healthy lifestyle. You never think the worst case scenario, which would be cancer. When the biopsy came back and the news was confirmed, I was afraid. Cancer does not run in my family, so I had never dealt with it on my side at all. It was very new territory for me. But I knew I had a lot of support around me. My main emotion, I think, was just shock.

CURE: You went into remission, and then your cancer returned just three months later. How did you process that emotionally, and what did your care team tell you about next steps?

Hesri: It was really tough to process the relapse, because it made me feel like my hope was being taken away from me again. But I had a great medical team, and that's when new treatments were being presented to me. During my remission, I had started asking more questions about treatment options, and that's when the possibility of clinical trials was introduced. I wanted to find an option that would give me a better chance at remission, because if standard treatment hadn't worked the first time, I was afraid it wouldn't work the second time either.

CURE: How did you first learn about the clinical trial that became part of your treatment, and what made you decide to enroll?

Hesri: It truly came from my doctor. My oncologist looked me in the eyes and told me he really wanted me to do more research into this clinical trial. I asked him genuinely, "From heart to heart, what would you tell me?" And he said, "If you were my daughter, I would tell my daughter to do this." That really stuck with me. There's a big misconception that clinical trials are like being a guinea pig, or that you'll receive a placebo — and I understand why people think that. But I truly believe that trial saved my life. And the care was exceptional, because they want the data. They want the trial to succeed. I was very well taken care of.

CURE: What resources did you use to educate yourself, and what advice would you give to a young person navigating a new diagnosis?

Hesri: I did a lot of my own research, and I leaned heavily on my medical team. People get scared to ask questions, and that's what I advocate for now: don't be afraid to ask. Get second opinions. When you speak to multiple providers, you feel much more confident in the decisions you're making. That's really how I got there.

CURE: Many patients hesitate when they hear the words "clinical trial." Based on your experience, what would you want someone on the fence to know?

Hesri: Clinical trials are very well structured and carefully monitored. My advice would be to do your own research and talk to your care team — but I felt lucky that a clinical trial was even presented to me. I felt more cared for than I could have expected. They wanted to see the trial succeed, and they wanted to see me do well. I think participating not only helped me in my own journey but can contribute to something bigger — future treatments for patients who come after you. I felt genuinely fortunate to have been part of it.

CURE: You mentioned the follow-up care during and after the trial was extensive. Can you describe what that looked like?

Hesri: Even after I was in remission, the team would still request that I come back for follow-up appointments — pulmonary testing, other assessments — just to monitor my health and collect data. I don't know exactly how they structure the follow-ups behind the scenes, but I felt like that was extra care that not everybody gets during standard treatment. There's just a lot more that goes into a clinical trial, and I could feel that.

CURE: Is there anything you'd like to see change about how clinical trials are communicated to patients?

Hesri: Absolutely. Clinical trials weren't even on my radar until my cancer had returned. When I was first diagnosed, I would never have thought to ask about them — and there's a very big misconception around the term itself. I'd like to see clinical trials presented as a first option, not a last resort. There just isn't a lot of information out there for patients, and these trials can help advance some of the most innovative treatments available. I hope that more people learn that this option exists, much earlier than I did.

CURE: What is the most important thing you want someone newly diagnosed, or facing a recurrence, to take away from your experience?

Hesri: I want them to know that there is a lot of support around them, and a lot of help available when you ask for it. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and don't be afraid to seek different opinions from different providers. Cancer is really scary — it happens to everyone, but you never think it will happen to you. When it does, just know that there is support out there, and that when you ask the right questions and feel supported by your care team, you can feel confident that you're going to be okay.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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